Chromosome positioning during sperm differentiation described
Chromosomes occupy specific regions of the cell nucleus called chromosome territories. In somatic cells, scientists have observed that there is a correlation between this positioning and genome regulation. In fact, alterations in chromosome distribut.....»»
Tiny worms are helping scientists better understand fertility
Studying sex from just the male perspective misses half the experience. But much of what we know about the origins of reproductive cells comes from looking at sperm and egg formation separately—or only focusing on sperm......»»
Research reveals clever dosage control mechanism of biallelic genes
Have you ever wondered why we carry two copies of each chromosome in all of our cells? During reproduction, we receive one from each of our parents. This means that we also receive two copies, or alleles, of each gene—one allele per chromosome or p.....»»
Malfunction in spermatogenesis: Researchers uncover contribution of cylicin proteins to male fertility
For successful fertilization, sperm should move forward rapidly and be shaped correctly. The unique structure of the sperm cells forms during spermiogenesis. Now, researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the Transdisciplinary Research.....»»
Team discovers protein crucial for B cell differentiation and antibodies
A cell nucleus is a busy place. Cellular proteins twist and pull DNA, folding the genome into intricate 3D structures that support functioning of its coding parts......»»
The way a sperm tail moves can be explained by mathematics worked out by Alan Turing
Alan Turing might be best know for his work helping to crack Germany's "Enigma" communications code during the second world war. But he also came up with a theory where patterns can form just through chemical compounds spreading out (diffusing) and r.....»»
Physicists model chromosome folding, reveal how loops affect spatial organization of the genome
Human chromosomes are long polymer chains that store genetic information. The nucleus of each cell contains the entire human genome (DNA) encoded on 46 chromosomes with a total length of about 2 meters. To fit into the microscopic cell nucleus and at.....»»
Researchers develop self-sorting coacervates for high-order protocell networks
Protocell networks assembled by artificial cell-like compartments have been developed for the expansion of cell-mimicking functionalities, such as signal processing, protein expression, morphological differentiation, and energy harvesting......»»
Caribbean island of Dominica creates world"s first marine protected area for endangered sperm whale
The tiny Caribbean island of Dominica is creating the world's first marine protected area for one of earth's largest animals: the endangered sperm whale......»»
Dominica to create world"s first sperm whale reserve
Dominica is set to create the world's first sperm whale reserve, designating a swath of ocean where large ships and commercial fishing are restricted and visitors can swim alongside the gentle marine giants......»»
Scientists report completion of chromosome XI, a major step towards creating the world"s first synthetic yeast
A UK-based team of Scientists, led by experts from the University of Nottingham and Imperial College London, have completed construction of a synthetic chromosome as part of a major international project to build the world's first synthetic yeast gen.....»»
The Wnt signaling pathway: The foundation of cell growth, development, and potential therapeutics
The Wnt signaling pathway, a system present in living organisms, plays a pivotal role in cell growth, differentiation, and migration. It has a long history dating back to 1982, when the first Wnt gene, essential for cellular growth, was discovered. T.....»»
Model suggests that mammalian sperm cells have two modes of swimming
A new mathematical model predicts that mammalian sperm cells have two distinct swimming modes. This prediction opens new questions about potential connections between sperm cells' motor activity and their transitions to hyperactivation phases that ma.....»»
Scientists reveal new mechanism for dynamic regulation of manchette microtubules during sperm development
Researchers led by Meng Wenxiang from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have shown that knocking out of the calmodulin-regulated spectrin-associated protein 1 (CAMSAP 1) gene, which is associated w.....»»
Researchers report effect of hypoxia on periosteal stem cells
A new study has shown that the interaction of miR-584-5p and RUNX2 could mediate PSC osteogenic differentiation induced by hypoxia. The work is published in the World Journal of Stem Cells......»»
A mechanism that controls the genomic structure during early differentiation into neuroectoderm
A group of scientists have discovered that a one of the components of the polycomb-type of transcriptional repressor complex (PRC), Phc1 (Rae28), regulates the chromatin state of cells and plays a critical role in the process of undifferentiated cell.....»»
Gene integral to initiating, sustaining sperm cell development identified
With male infertility a mounting global concern impacting approximately 12% of men, according to the National Institutes of Health, a Penn State research team has discovered a gene that plays a key role in initiating and sustaining spermatogenesis. T.....»»
New insights into the genetics of the common octopus: Genome at the chromosome level decoded
Octopuses are fascinating animals—and serve as important model organisms in neuroscience, cognition research and developmental biology......»»
DNA aptamer finds novel application in regulating cell differentiation
Generating specific cell lineages from induced pluripotent stem cells and embryonic stem cells is the holy grail of regenerative medicine. Guiding iPSCs toward a target cell line has garnered much attention, but the process remains challenging......»»
How male mosquitoes compensate for having only one X chromosome
The research group of Dr. Claudia Keller Valsecchi (Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany) and their collaborators have discovered the master regulator responsible for balancing the expression of X chromosome genes between males and females.....»»
Metaphors for human fertilization are evolving, study shows
In a common metaphor used to describe human fertilization, sperm cells are competitors racing to penetrate a passive egg. But as critics have noted, the description is also a "fairy tale," rooted in cultural beliefs about masculinity and femininity......»»